If you liked "This Time Around", chances are you'll love "Shout It Out". The last two Hanson albums ("The Walk" and "Underneath") were gentler and more introspective, but "Shout It Out" is an upbeat party for the ears. Taylor's voice is as fabulous as ever, and he sings lead on most of the tracks.
The brothers' lean, tight core is supplemented by a fat, funky horn section on several tracks, notably "Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'" and "Voice in the Chorus". Musically, Hanson does what they do best--gospel-tinged vocals, bluesy riffs and classic rock rhythms dripping with pop hooks and catchy choruses that you can't get out of your head. Lyrically, things are a bit lighter than in recent years--no African orphans appear on this album--with the notable exception of the ballad "Me, Myself,and I", which is the darkest of the songs on this collection.